Storage System for Cleaning Cloths

ABSTRACT

A storage system ( 1 ) for cleaning cloths ( 2 ) is provided that comprises at least one container ( 3 ) and two rails ( 5 ) that can be attached to the cleaning cart ( 4 ), with the container ( 3 ) being slidably supported in the rails ( 5 ), and with the rails ( 5 ) and the container ( 3 ) comprising a fixture ( 6 ), by means of which the container ( 3 ) can be locked at least into one position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storage system for cleaning cloths, comprising at least one container and two rails that can be attached to a cleaning cart.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During commercial cleaning operations, in particular in areas with special hygiene requirements, such as hospitals, wiping systems with premoistened wiping covers or cloths are often used for wet cleaning. These cleaning cloths are pretreated with a cleaning fluid and stored in containers. The cleaning cloths are subsequently clamped on a wiping tool and after a short time of use, replaced with an unused pretreated wiping cover. For more extensive cleaning operations, a large number of pretreated wiping covers are therefore required, which wiping covers must be transported in a manner so as to be easily accessible.

DE 200 80 287 U1 discloses a container for storing cleaning cloths, which container comprises a lid which is hinged to the container. The lid is designed to ensure that several containers can be stacked one on top of the other. In addition, the container can be placed onto a cleaning cart.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to make available a storage system for cleaning cloths, which system makes it possible to transport a large number of cleaning cloths while ensuring that the cleaning cloths are easily accessible.

The problem is solved by a storage system for cleaning cloths, comprising at least one container and two rails that can be attached to a cleaning cart, with the container being slidably supported in the rails and with the rails and the container comprising a fixture, by means of which the container can be snapped into at least one position. Containers can be movably suspended from and moved along the rails so as to reach various working positions. The rails can be flexibly attached in various mobile systems. Due to the stop fixture, it is possible to lock the container into various working positions. In the container, a plurality of folded cleaning cloths, in particular wiping covers, can be disposed parallel to one another. The storage system can be disposed in a cleaning cart.

The container can be closed by a lid. The lid prevents a premature escape of the cleaning fluid contained in the wiping covers. In addition, containers with lids can be more readily stacked.

The rails may have a first stop position which corresponds to a transport position and may have a second stop position which corresponds to a working position. In the transport position, the containers are disposed in a space-saving manner so as to be easily maneuverable. In the working position, the containers are disposed so as to make to make it possible to easily access and remove the wiper covers.

The rails may have a groove in which the container is movably supported. Because of the groove, the containers are especially securely guided so that the containers are protected from being lost during transport.

The fixture can be formed by stop lugs which are disposed in the groove and which can be engaged in recesses that are disposed on the container. Stop lugs can be especially easily manufactured and ensure secure support. The containers can be easily removed from the stop position simply by lifting them while using slight force.

In the working position, the container may be inclined. The inclination improves the accessibility of the wiping covers and thus makes the storage system more ergonomic.

The lid can be separately supported on the rails. This makes it possible to move the container back and forth in the rails while the lid remains in a stationary position. Thus, in the transport position, for example, the container can be covered with the lid, but as the container is moved into working position, the lid remains in the transport position, and the wiping covers can be easily removed from the container. If, however, the container is inserted into the grooves and the lid is placed onto the rails, a slight space between the lid and the container is created, and a small gap results.

The container, with the lid covering it, can be inserted into the grooves of the rails. In this case, the container is tightly closed, which is especially useful if the transporting distances are relatively long or if the cleaning operation is interrupted.

The container can be inserted from both ends of the rails. In this manner, the container can also be removed from both ends. A plurality of containers can be inserted from one end, which is especially useful when loading the cleaning cart in narrow spaces since in this case, the cleaning cart can be completely filled and accessed from one end.

It is possible to insert two containers into the rails. This increases the number of the transportable containers and the quantity of the transportable wiping covers.

A color code element can be attached to the containers. The color code elements make it possible to identify the wiping covers which in turn identify certain cleaning tasks. In combination with a color-coded wiping tool, all tools of a wiping system are color-coded, and the risk of erroneous use is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A few practical examples of the storage system according to the present invention will be explained in greater detail below based on the figures. As can be seen, these figures are diagrammatic sketches:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a storage system disposed in a cleaning cart;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a storage system with two containers in the transport position: and

FIG. 3 is a side view of a storage system with one container in the working position.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a storage system 1 for cleaning cloths 2, which in this case are wiping covers, said storage system being attached to a cleaning cart 4. The storage system 1 comprises a plurality of containers 3; this specific embodiment comprises two containers. The containers 3 are slidably supported in rails 5, with said rails 5 being attached to the cleaning cart 4 in a friction-loaded and form-fitting manner. The rails 5 and the container 3 comprise a fixture 6 by means of which the container 3 can be snapped into two positions. The container 3 can be locked into a first stop position which corresponds to a transport position and can be locked into a second stop position 9 which corresponds to a working position. The rails 5 have a groove 10 in which the container 3 can be slidably supported. The fixture 6 is formed by stop lugs 11 which are disposed in the groove 10 and which can engage in the recesses 12 that are disposed on the container 3. The rails 5 are disposed so as to be symmetrical so that the container 3 can be inserted and removed from both ends 3. This makes it possible to load the container 3 and load a cleaning cart 4 that is standing against a wall. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rails 5 are designed so as to be able to receive two containers 3. The container 3 can be closed with a lid 7, with the possibility of separately retaining said lid 7 in a first position on the rails 5. The rails 5 may comprise a second groove into which the lid 7 can be inserted, with the lid being additionally guided in the second groove, which leads to a reduction of noise during transport. In a second position, the lid 7 is disposed on the container 3, and the container 3, with the lid 7 covering it, can be inserted into the groove 10 of the rail 5. The lid 7 can be designed so as to consist of two parts, with the two lid parts being hinged to each other, for example, by a swiveling link or a film hinge, so that the container 3 can be opened without the need to completely remove the lid 7. To move the containers 3, they are lifted so that the stop lug 11 no longer engages in recess 12. The containers 3 have a preferred end 14 to which a defined handle 15 is attached on which a color-coding element 13 is disposed.

In larger cleaning carts, rails 5 can be disposed in parallel and directly adjacent to each other in order to enlarge the holding capacity. In other embodiments, a back cover reduces the risk of injury, for example, by means of attachment elements. Between the rails 5 or between the rail 5 and the back cover, an enclosure for the cleaning cart 4 can be disposed. As an alternative, a spacer can be provided to bridge the gap. As an alternative, open tubs can be disposed in the rails 5, and the tubs or containers 3 can hold the capacity. The rails 5 are preferably attached in a friction-loaded and/or form-fitting manner to the cleaning cart 4. To this end, reinforcing fins can be disposed on the cleaning cart 4, on which reinforcing fins the rails 5 are form-fittingly retained. The connection can be braced by means of a clamping connection in which two rails or one rail and a back cover enclose a section of the cleaning cart 4; for example, a tube. If this type of connection is used, the cleaning cart 4 does not require any boreholes, which facilitates the cleaning of the cleaning cart 4 and reduces the risk of corrosion.

FIG. 2 shows a storage system 1 as seen in FIG. 1. Disposed in the rails 5 are two containers 3 and the lids 7 of said containers are disposed on the rails 5, with a gap being formed between the container 3 and the lid 7.

FIG. 3 shows a storage system 1 as seen in FIG. 1, with the container 3 positioned in the second stop position which corresponds to the working position. All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 

1. A storage system for cleaning cloths, comprising at least one container and two rails that can be attached to the cleaning cart, with the container being slidably supported in the rails, and with the rails and the container comprising a fixture for locking the container at least into one position.
 2. The storage system as in claim 1, wherein the container is closeable with a lid.
 3. The storage system as in claim, 1 wherein the rails have a first stop position which corresponds to a transport position and have a second stop position which corresponds to a working position.
 4. The storage system as in claim 1, wherein the rails have a groove in which the container can be slidably supported.
 5. The storage system as in claim 4, wherein the fixture is formed by stop lugs which are disposed in the groove and which can engage in the recesses that are disposed on the container.
 6. The storage system as in claim 3, wherein the container is inclined when in the second stop position.
 7. The storage system as in claim 2, wherein the lid can be separately held on the rails.
 8. The storage system as in claim 4, wherein the container, with a lid closing it, can be inserted into the groove of the rail.
 9. The storage system as in claim 1, wherein the container can be inserted from both ends of the rails.
 10. The storage system as in claim 1, wherein two containers can be inserted into the rails.
 11. The storage system as in claim 2, wherein the lid is designed so as to comprise two parts, with the two parts being connected to each other by means of a hinge. 